MAY PEN, Clarendon — At the end, the coach said there is a lot of “confidence” in and “commitment” to the “project”.

Humble Lion showed lots of that on Sunday to carve out a last-gasp 1-0 triumph over struggling Reno at the Effortville Community Centre, which adds further momentum to their push for a place in the semi-finals of the Red Stripe Premier League.

The goal arrived deep into stoppage time when second-half substitutes Kemeel Wolfe and Levaughn Williams combined to set up Wolry Wolfe for a close-range finish. And it was just what the home side deserved for their willingness to hunt down all three points, even when a nil-all stalemate seemed the only plausible result.

In finality, it means they have now equalled Arnett Gardens’ 11-game unbeaten run. But, more importantly, Donovan Duckie’s side has replaced Harbour View (34) as the fourth-placed team, on 35 points.

Reno, who slipped back into the relegation zone on 21 points, could also argue that the defeat was unjust based on the run of play, having stayed with Humble Lion until the very last seconds of this absorbing contest. But, in this particular scenario, it might have been a case of fortune showing kindness towards the brave, with Duckie taking great pleasure in pointing out that they created their own luck.

“It was an excellent performance from us today,” he beamed. “Reno made it very difficult for us. They were well organised; they played behind the ball and stayed with us all the way. But we made two changes and created our own luck. This will definitely help us in our (pursuit) of a place in the semi-finals.”

Duckie’s counterpart Godfrey Drummond was a picture of absolute disappointment as he spoke to the media, lamenting the fact that it only took one moment of defensive lapse to cost them what might have been a point. He also criticised the referee for poor officiating. But referee Oshane Nation, seemingly a nervous figure in the middle, had an overall poor game — favouring neither side with his sometimes inconceivable calls.

“I wouldn’t say I am totally pleased,” Drummond added, “but it was a creditable performance (so) we will take the positives from it and prepare for the next game.”

It was a nicely balanced first half, with both sides showing good industry and aggression from the onset; yet neither side could conjure up a clear-cut chance. And it was not until the 48th minute, when Wolry Wolfe forced the first save of the match: driving a dipping free kick just under the crossbar. However, Reno goalkeeper Dennis Clayton was equal to the task, tipping it over for a corner.

Reno were forced to make two early substitutions (with Renorio Downswell (22nd) and Afiba Chambers (46th) going off injured) but did not seem fazed by this setback. Instead, the Westmoreland side went toe to toe with their hosts and duly registered their first effort on target on 53 minutes. Kayce Bromfield robbed his marker of the ball and darted straight into the box. However, his grounder, directed to the far post, was easily gathered by Damion Crooks.

Yet for all their hard work, Reno, promoted back to the top flight this season, ended the game under siege, as Humble Lion, desperate for the win that would put them into the top four, went all out and created quick-fire chances for Devon Hodges and Williams. Neither could find the target from six yards.

But there was still time for the Wolfe brothers, in combination with Williams, to bring the house down. Kemeel, on as a 90th-minute sub, did the leg work down the left channel, before cutting back the ball for Williams, whose exquisite dummy allowed the unmarked Wolry to sweep home an easy finish past Clayton.

TEAMS: Humble Lion — Damion Crooks, Gregory Lewis, Ricardo Campbell, Hugh Howell, Ranaldo Christian, Ricardo Cousins, Horace Sharpe (Levaughn Williams 52nd), Wolry Wolfe, Jermaine Christian, Francois Swaby (Roberto Fletcher 67th), Devon Hodges (Kemeel Wolfe 90th)

Subs not used: Garth Herron, Kevon Reid, Sean Coleman, Omando McLeod

Booked: None

Reno — Dennis Clayton, Orane Warren, Rondell Morris, Jashane Foster, Craig Foster, Renorio Downswell (Shornor Cattan 22nd), Afiba Chambers (Tereto Gregory 46th), Kayce Bromfield, Linval Wilson, Romaine Lewis (Denmark Gillings 84th), Codean Smikle

Subs not used: Junior Neil, Chad Blair, Alburn Facey, Hushane Hines.

Booked: Chambers (43rd), Wilson (48th)

Referee: Oshane Nation

Assistant Referees: Ricardo Morgan, Stephanie-Dale Yee Singh Fourth Official: Odette Hamilton

Match Commissary: David Galloway